AES 132nd Convention a Hit in Budapest

BUDAPEST: With over 100 paper, workshop, tutorial and networking events, 11 exhibitors and 805 attendees, the 132nd AES Convention was the most intimate yet intensive gathering in the organization’s 64-year history. Participant response to the event and, to the host city, was uniformly positive.

“Budapest exceeded our expectations as a distinctive site for our 2012 European convention,” stated AES Executive Director Bob Moses. “We attracted a number of eastern European audio professionals who had not previously had the opportunity to participate in an AES event. The feedback we received from them as well as from our traditional AES European Convention attendees was extremely positive.”

The convention was highlighted by the first surround recording, specifically mixed and mastered for the exotic new Mercedes SL Roadster. Presented by a blue–ribbon panel which included Leslie Ann Jones of Skywalker Sound, Mario Fresner of Daimler AG, Stefan Bock, msm-studios GmbH, Norbert Niemczyk, Daimler AG, Wieslaw Woszczyk of McGill University, and moderator Herbert Waltl of LA’s mediaHYPERIUM, the event demonstrated the “ultimate surround sound car listening experience.” Technical issues behind its development were discussed at length.

Keynote speaker John Buckman, a leading online label entrepreneur and Chairman of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), provided deep insights into developing successful 21st century progressive music business models. Presentations spanning subjects from Smartphone technology to Virtual Microphones and the Beach Boys’ “Smile” sessions offered attendees invaluable insights, career tips and social networking opportunities.

Moses reports the quality of the research papers was particularly high thanks in part to a newly instituted Convention paper review process. “The turnout for Workshops and Tutorials was particularly strong,” he adds, “The rooms were packed and, while the exhibition was smaller than we had hoped, we deeply appreciate the support of Audiomonde, Auro Technologies, Charteroak, Crane Song, Delta Senselab, Linear Audio, Microtech Gefell, Neutrik, Profusion and Roland Systems Group East Europe. Our post-show conversations with them clearly substantiate their palpable sense of having made the right judgment call in being with us. “The 132nd Convention clearly confirms the importance of continuing the AES European show. We are already in the planning stages for our next event, and will be incorporating changes our stakeholders are requesting to add value and ensure its long term success” Moses concludes.

Commenting on his reaction to the 132nd Convention, David Josephson of Josephson Engineering who shared a booth with Crane Song, AEA and Hitspace remarked, “The show was really worthwhile. We saw a lot of students and pro users. The technical sessions seemed stronger and better attended than the last London show. We went because it was the first time we could reach out to buyers in Eastern Europe. The opportunity for seeing significant people is absolutely worth attending an event like this.”

The Audio Engineering Society was formed in 1948 by a group of concerned audio engineers. With over 14,000 members throughout the U.S., Latin America, Europe, Japan and the Far East, the organization serves as the pivotal force in the exchange and dissemination of technical information for the industry. For additional information visit http://www.aes.org